According to designer Khadija Malik, her Hummingbird waistcoat in red and gold is quintessentially traditional in its aesthetic but it comes with a modern twist. The delicate embellishments are all finely laser-cut and executed using new applique techniques to create this look of old-school glamour. The hand-drawn feel of the artwork has been deliberately preserved in keeping with the royal tradition of Mughal court dresses. The waistcoat is designed as part of a larger ensemble inspired by that era, yet also lends itself as a separate piece to an abundance of styling possibilities. All fabrics used are natural cotton and silk, as the brand shies away from using any man-made materials to keep its carbon footprint in check.
Sehyr Anis
Development practitioner, Govt of Punjab CEO, Quirky & Co
My heart skipped a beat when I saw this waistcoat and I instantly knew I wanted it for my wardrobe. I fell for its unique laser-cut design intricately embossed onto the beautiful rich fabric, making it edgy and different. I generally favour a minimalist chic style, and play up my looks with quirky accessories and jewellery. First off, I chose to wear it back to front. It gave the feel of a crop top and the edges of the waistcoat fell flatteringly at the back. I paired it with a can-can iconic black skirt and gold heels, adding a metallic Quirky & Co. clutch. I finished off my look with gold jhumkas from Amrapali, and an armband from BCBG. For my makeup I did dark smoky eyes with lots of mascara and nude lips and blow-dried my hair. I felt ready for a festive evening and would take this look to a ball or even to a wedding!
Haiya Bokhari
Assistant editor, Instep/Stylist
I’m very experimental in my personal style and like mixing different elements for a unique look. I loved the waistcoat because it pairs structure with feminine embellishment, and for its versatility. I chose to pair it up with my Zara boyfriend jeans and a button down from Levis to break some of its richness and to add a slightly androgynous feel. My lace-up gold heels from Charles & Keith tied the look together, along with my accessories that included stacked rings and a gold cuff. I kept my makeup minimal and left my hair natural. I would wear this look out for an afternoon formal lunch.
Khuban Omer Khan
Managing director, Farida Hasan
My style is fairly fluid and I enjoy experimenting with new cuts and trends, but I’d say it is more or less classic. I loved the waistcoat from the get-go and couldn’t wait to wear it! I love the colour combination and the cut is very flattering. Its such a versatile piece and can be worn in so many ways that I had a tough time making up my mind on how to style it. In the end, I decided to pair it up with red culottes from Muse, and my favourite new Cinderella pumps from Jimmy Choo. I added gold Outhouse earrings to catch the gold work in the jacket. My red YSL shoulder bag was perfect to carry with it. I kept my hair and make-up natural, adding a pop of my favourite red lip-gloss to finish the look. I would wear this outfit to a formal dinner or to a party.
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